Upon seeing the inscription “Military Zone” at any place, even before reading the concluding part, our intuitive reasoning mutters “Keep off”. To some of us, Military Zone means ‘Dangerous Zone’, while to some others; it means a “no go” area or impossible area to reach. Only very few of us pause to question why such a location which possibly is cited outside a military barracks should have an inscription meant to scare people away.
Similarly, there are some issues or ideas that we have consciously or otherwise branded “Military Zones”. Most times, we get so informed and knowledgeable about them to the point where we inscribe on our hearts; “keep off”. This has lingered on for a while and we have neglected the possible option of probing or inquiring why they have been so branded.
For example, in prayers, there are some myths commonly believed and adhered to which have greatly hindered effectiveness in prayers and short changed peoples prayer lifestyle. These myths have similar rhythms in our hearts to that of ‘Military Zone, Keep off’. As a result of this, our prayer lives have been stagnated, and questioning the status quo seems to be an insurmountable mountain.
Let’s take a quick look at some commonly believed “Prayer Myths” and assess their truthfulness.
Distance Barrier
It is commonly reported that due to the fact that God is in the heavens above and we are on earth, it is imperative that when we pray, we must intensify effort so that our prayers can go beyond the third heavens and reach God.
Much as scriptures also admonishes us to pray intensively/earnestly, it was not with the intention of having our prayers penetrate heaven. We should not forget the fact that God is a Spirit and they that must reach Him will have to do that in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Also, He resides in us through His Spirit. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, andthat the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (Corinthians 6:16). In the spirit realm where our prayers are channeled through, there is no distance. God’s presence is always with us and He immediately hears our petitions.
The World is too populated
Another good reason purportedly given is that the world population is over 6 billion and it has become increasingly difficult to gain God’s attention when we pray. As a matter of fact, God can get loaded with simultaneous prayers that He may be partial in giving them order of preference. Therefore, we would have to adopt measures like early morning rise from our beds so that we can pray before others wake up, or we map out strategic periods that seems as though most people are not praying so that we can specially draw God’s attention.
Honestly, all these assertions can only be true if God were to be a man, but God is not. He is a Spirit, so human reasoning of handling simultaneous things does not apply to Him. Furthermore, His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. As the heavens are far from the earth so are His thoughts from ours (Isaiah 55:8). Have you ever asked yourself the question, what if everyone wakes up at the same early time, will it not amount to the same thing? In addition, while a particular country or continent may be asleep, some other countries or continents may be awake. It means there could still be interference.
Amazingly, God does not need some people to be asleep so that others can be awake so as to be able to effectively attend to our prayers. He is Omnipresent. The world vast population is not a problem to Him. He is the creator of everything that is in existence.
Tears specially draw God’s attention
I have often heard people say that tears either during prayers or not draw God’s attention. Therefore, when people pray, some out of genuine spiritual move shed tears, while some others force tears to come out because they want God to be pitifully moved about their situation.
This may sound very hard, but it is the truth. God is not moved by anyone’s tears. Tears are characteristics of human frailty. There are so many other factors that can attract God’s mercy upon an individual like a genuine repentant heart not tears. Always remember that God constantly looks at the intention of your heart and not the tears of your face.
Prayer of Agreement is stronger
One other myth commonly believed in Christendom is that prayer of agreement is stronger than prayer of an individual i.e. offered independently.
There is no scriptural revelation that the prayer of two or more people is stronger than that of one person. In fact scriptures reveals that the effectual prayer of a righteous man avail much (James 5:16). Much as bible reveals that whatsoever is bound in heaven is bound on earth…where two or more are gathered in my name there I am in their midst, we also have a confirmation in scriptures that God permanently lives within a believer through His Spirit.
The effectual prayer of an individual is as strong as that of two or more people. If only we passionately pray like Isaiah did, we can achieve more than stopping rain for three and half years.
Rise above these “Military Zone, Keep off” thoughts and pray like you have never prayed before. Pray anywhere and anytime. We are admonished to pray without ceasing, which means continuously.
– adeyiga awomuti
Once upon a time in Christendom, believers always talked about eternity. They were so engrossed in the truth that they were pilgrims in this world and would one day go to be with the Lord in heaven. At that time, it was common to see messages titled “heaven or hell?” Songs with lyrics like “it’s not an easy road, we are travelling to heaven” were common in our assemblies. Believers looked tattered, battered, and shattered like people who had been bruised in the tussles and struggles of this life. We were always reminded that we lived in the “end times” and the rapture could take place at any moment. This wave got to a crescendo towards year 2000 when it had been predicted that the world would end. But lo and behold, year 2000 came and passed without witnessing the return of Jesus Christ, and events in Christendom took another turn.
With very little or no talk about heaven, many of those who were once labelled as “battered” became ever ready to “gather the riches of the gentiles”. Many of us are now enlightened. We have expounded the word to others and taught them that salvation is a total package – that it did not only secure heaven for us; but it also brought prosperity, health, fulfilment, peace and a lot more good things. I’m not left out in this trend. I remember giving an exhortation in the university and saying things like: “you are not born again to fail again”; “you are not born again to be poor again”. Beloved, it is obvious that things have really changed. That is why it is now rare to hear the idiom “as poor as a church rat”. It is becoming increasingly difficult to associate poverty with Christianity. However, in a bid to correct the short-sightedness of some early believers, we have probably become even more narrow-minded.
How? We do not like to talk about heaven and hell anymore. When we preach to unbelievers, the major distinction between Christianity and the world that we present to them is that Jesus will also give them plenty wealth, but with peace of mind. No emphasis is usually placed on life after death. Some even say that heaven is now on earth, and there is no need to prepare to go anywhere. Let’s face it – when was the last time you heard or preached a message relating to the rapture or the second coming of Jesus Christ? Are we not only concentrating on how to amass wealth in this life? The bible says “If our hope in Christ is good for this life only and no more, then we deserve more pity than anyone else in all the world (I Corinthians 15:19 GNB).
It is pleasant to know that redemption gave us freely everything we need to have a good life on earth; but it is pitiable if we do not understand that we are strangers in this world and a better life awaits us in heaven. The greater part of our new life will be spent in heaven and we should be wise enough to know not to major in the minors. “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cosy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul” (I Peter 2:11 MSG). Learn to always keep your destination in mind as you pass through this world. Prepare for eternity!
– tope aladenusi
One of the biggest dangers in thinking that we are righteous in God’s sight just because of our good works is explained in Ezekiel 33:12 (KJVA) – “…the righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression …” It is indeed dangerous grounds! As long as we believe we have right standing with God based on our own righteousness, then a little slip would be enough to sweep our feet off the ground. But what if we did not make any mistake and got things right 100%? Then we would be facing the door of Isaiah 64:6 which has these words inscribed on it – “… all our righteousness are as filthy rags”.
However, if we were determined not to get frustrated; like I did several years ago; and made a U-turn from that door, then we would be favoured to find another door labelled John 10:9. On this door, Jesus Christ has boldly inscribed the following letterings: “I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture”. Hallelujah! I’m sure one of the pastures you would find after entering this door is the joy that will envelope your life when you understand – “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” – II Corinthians 5:21
Yes! Just because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we possess the kind of righteousness that could previously be attributed to God alone. If you could look into all believers’ spirits right now, you would appreciate how righteous God is. God’s righteousness was given to us as a gift when we got saved. Nevertheless, this is not the major point I want to make today. For those of us who have come to understand this truth, how have we been running with it?
There’s a sad turn of events in the church of Jesus today. In time past, many believers did not understand the concept of God’s righteousness. However, you could see their zeal for God. They went about doing good works and exhibiting fruit that attracted men to Christ even though they could fit perfectly in the way Apostle Paul described the Israelites in Romans 10:2 – “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge”.
Today, knowledge has come and we would expect that believers would be described as having “a zeal of God, according to knowledge”. However, many of us have embraced knowledge and have thrown away our zeal. The days of waking up at night to pray is over. Bible study is history. Evangelism is almost extinct practice. Materialism is the order of the day. It is getting increasingly difficult to differentiate believers from unbelievers.
Beloved, let’s get back on track. Our knowledge is not meant to erode our zeal. Titus 2:14 says Jesus … gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Have you really been purified by Jesus Christ? Then keep your zeal alive!
– tope aladenusi
